By now, and over the course of the last few years you've likely read SO many opinions, articles, posts, etc... about C-section vs. Vaginal birth moms. Some opinions are harsh, some are defensive, and most have the author trying to plead to their audience why theirs is the best opinion on the subject.

While I agree with some, and vehemently disagree with MANY others, at the end of the day there's this- We're all just Moms and I believe in my heart that you make the best decision and follow the best recommendations available to you in those moments. I don't feel as if someone is "less" of a woman or mother if they had an epidural, or stronger than another because she had a natural birth. More often than not, a cesarean is NOT a decision the parents choose to make and instead is made for them by the Dr's as a life-saving measure.

That being said - April is National Cesarean Awareness Month. I had a C-section and it sucked. It was NOT my choice, and I was scared, sad, and felt alone until my spouse could join me in the room and hold my hand. I couldn't see anything except the ceiling, and a small line of sight to the side of me. I puked instantly when the Dr. said "You might feel the sensation of my hands". It rolled down the side of my face while the nurse, feeling sorry for me, wiped my face and told me it was OK, while I silently cried and tears streamed down my face... I didn't get to see my son after they pulled him out, they rushed him to the side to start working on him and I didn't hear any cries for what felt like forever- I was helpless, laying on a cold, surgical operating table, cut wide open and unable to do anything at all. Finally, I heard his cry and it just sounded like an Angel singing, and I could relax. Those moments were torture. I didn't get skin to skin, or even to kiss his head or touch him right away...I don't remember much of the next 12 hours or so... I couldn't decide on a name, I couldn't stay awake to have conversations with the doctors, my body itched so viciously that I thought I would scratch myself raw, I had no idea I had been cathed because I had so much medicine in me and was so exhausted that I wasn't even close to any version of "myself". It is probably THE thing in my life that I am so regretful and sad about that I cannot remember SO many things from that day.

I shared a little of my story becauseI'm no better or worse than my friends or clients that I've photographed that have pushed 2x and had their baby, or were in labor for 16+ hours, or who decided to have an elective C-section. IT. DOES. NOT. MATTER.... we're just doing the best we can, and we want to walk out of that hospital or birth center with a healthy baby. A privilege that far too many parents don't get to enjoy. While we're over here arguing over some other woman's body, there are parents who have lost children, who have spent their entire early lives in the hospital and/or will forever struggle with medical complications.

So, in all of this, I just plead with you to stop judging any mother about how she delivered her baby. Encourage her, support her, ask what she needs, and tell her you love her. Maybe in the future, we'll just have National BIRTH awareness month and recognize it's just an amazingly awesome feat no matter the HOW behind it. <3

Since it IS Cesarean Awareness Month, however, I did want to share with you these images from my recent client's birth. Baby Rowan was born healthy to his Mama who didn't have that luxury the last time...

Interested in learning more about birth photography and capturing YOUR most important moment of your life? Email me at RhiannonLoydPhotography@gmail.com or visit the Contact Me section of my site so we can start talking!